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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: Within the prepared revision of the Act on the Corps of Prison and Court Guard, we are interested in details of personal strip-searches performance. In accordance with current legislation, personal search is a preventive-security measure of inmates the purpose of which is to prevent from keeping objects that might pose a risk to the safety of persons or property, prevent from production, keeping or consumption of alcoholic beverages, narcotic and psychotropic substances, poisons, precursors or non-prescribed medications and identification of traces or signs of violence on the bodies of inmates. When a personal search is performed as a strip-search, the inmate shall strip down to his/her underwear and stays naked for the time absolutely necessary. Strip-searches are not routinely applied to all groups of inmates.
Yes, in article 68 Penitentiary Regulation.
If yes, please provide details and conditions of the performance of strip-searches– under which circumstances they are performed, describe the way of their realisation, if inmates are partially dressed etc.Only under concrete circumstances and evaluation, with officers from the inmate's gender and with the inmate partially dressed.
Yes
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Yes.
If yes, please provide details and conditions of the performance of strip-searches– under which circumstances they are performed, describe the way of their realisation, if inmates are partially dressed etc.The Act relating to the Execution of Sentences, Section 28. Inspection of inmates, rooms and possessions “The Norwegian Correctional Service may inspect inmates, their rooms and possessions in order to prevent disorder or criminal acts. The inspection may be carried out by means of technological equipment or dogs, search or bodily search.” Detailed regulations specify that the strip-search are permitted after a concrete and individual judgement/assessment has been done. Routine body searches for all inmates in the high security prisons have been completed in 2020. Body-searches may take place at any time, but usually in connection with leave or a visit. A body search should be done by a person of the same sex as you. The body search should take place in a manner that has the least possible embarrassing or demeaning effect on you. It may not be more extensive than necessary. Undressing and dressing must be done step-by-step, where one should put on clothes for the upper body before removing garments below. Body scanners - safety scanners are recommended to be used when available. A protocol is written in all cases of body-search.
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Yes. The procedures for screening in prisons are determined by the internal regulatory enactment issued by the Administration “Searching Procedures in Prisons”.
If yes, please provide details and conditions of the performance of strip-searches– under which circumstances they are performed, describe the way of their realisation, if inmates are partially dressed etc.Paragraph 16 of the search procedure provides that, in the event of a complete search of the prisoner, the following shall be provided for: 1) offers to give all prohibited articles to the prisoner, then to undress; 2) inspect the body, oral cavity, ears, hair, leg and hand-finger intersections, prostheses and medical links of the inmate (if necessary, the examination shall be performed in the presence of a prison doctor); 3) inspect the headgear, clothing, footwear of the inmate. Footwear shall be checked from outside and inside, with particular attention being paid to places where money, narcotics or other objects (including heels, patches, soles) may be hidden; 4) check the seam, patches, collars, cuffs and, if necessary, the patches or seam are removed. In view of the fact that individuals in detention places move different objects in a hidden way in a wide variety of places – in articles, clothing, on the body, (for example, being sewn into clothing seams, collars, hidden in footwear, attached by patches to the bends of the spine, under the armpits etc) The finding and removal of objects and substances for ensuring internal procedures and the security of prisoners shall be carried out by carrying out a full screening of prisoners. In the light of this, a full screening of a detainee before a person is placed in custody is acceptable and legitimate.
Some Belgian regulations address this issue: Article 108, § 2, of the penitentiary principles law of 12 January 2005 and the collective letter No 141 of 30 January 2017 on clothes search, strip-search and search of the living area. The purpose of strip-search is to check whether the inmate is in possession of objects or substances that are prohibited or potentially dangerous. Strip-search is possible if there is individualized evidence that the search of the clothes is not sufficient to maintain order and security. In this case, the prison governor takes an individual reasoned decision that he sets down on a form. The form is duly drawn up in duplicate and the inmate signs both copies. If the inmate refuses to sign, this will be mentioned on the document. The duplicate of the form is handed to the inmate. Strip-search must be carried out by at least two members of the penitentiary surveillance staff of the same gender as the searched inmate (in accordance with the legislator's purpose, a search must not be conducted when there is no other officer present as a witness), in a closed area and without any other inmate being present. In a strip-search, it is permitted to oblige the inmate to take all his clothes off in order to conduct an external inspection of his body and mouth. Strip-search must not be vexatious and must be carried out with respect for the inmate’s dignity.
If yes, please provide details and conditions of the performance of strip-searches– under which circumstances they are performed, describe the way of their realisation, if inmates are partially dressed etc.In practical terms, when the governor takes an individual reasoned decision to have an inmate strip-searched, the following procedure must be followed: • The officer hands a towel to the inmate; • The inmate is requested to take all his clothes off behind a screen; • The inmate is requested to hand over all the clothes and objects he wears; • The officer requests him to come before him with his towel on; • The inmate is requested to undo his hair (if applicable) and to shake it; • The inmate is requested to show the soles of his feet; • The officer asks then the inmate to open his mouth so that he can visually inspect it; • The officer asks the inmate to raise his arms; • The officer asks the inmate to take the towel off; • The officer asks the inmate to rotate 360°; • The inmate returns behind the screen; • The officer inspects all the clothes; • The inmate is requested to put his clothes on.